SOFT DRUGS

Not only should medical marijuana be made available to patients in need
(The Taxman's Lost Cash Crop, Aug. 4), adult recreational use should be
regulated as well. The reason: Leaving the distribution of popular
recreational drugs in the hands of organized crime puts children at great risk.

Unlike legitimate businesses that sell liquor, illegal drug dealers do not
check IDs for age, but they do push profitable, addictive drugs like heroin
when given the chance.

Politicians need to stop worrying about the message drug policy reform
sends to children and start thinking about the children themselves.

Canadian tax dollars are being wasted on anti-drug strategies that only
make marijuana growing more profitable. In Europe, the Netherlands has
successfully reduced overall drug use by replacing marijuana prohibition
with regulation.

Given that marijuana is arguably safer than alcohol, it makes no sense to
waste tax dollars on policies that finance organized crime groups like the
Hells Angels and facilitate the use of deadly hard drugs.

Robert Sharpe, program officer, The Lindesmith Center -- Drug Policy
Foundation, Washington.